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Nervous system

The nervous system can coordinate a response to a stimulus, using nerve cells.

Nerve cells, or neurons, are specialized cells that transmit electrical impulses around the body.

nucleus

cell body

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When a stimulus is detected, your nervous system sends an impulse along neurons to and from different parts of the body to coordinate a response.

How are responses coordinated?

Specific receptors in a sense organ detect a stimulus.

1.

An electrical impulse is sent to the brain.2.

The brain processes the information.3.

An electrical impulse is sent to an effector (e.g. a muscle or gland).

4.

The effector produces a response.5.

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The senses

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Parts of the nervous system

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